– The Sachsenring is preparing intensively for the new motorcycle season, both on and off the track. While construction work to improve safety is currently underway, there is also special recognition for the long-standing fan culture surrounding the race track.
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Since mid-February, according to a report by Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, work has been underway on several sections of the traditional track. The background is requirements from the world motorcycle federation FIM, which are primarily intended to increase rider safety.
The focus is, among other things, on the so-called Sachsenkurve. Located after a fast downhill section, the requirements for track safety are correspondingly high here. The previous grass strip between the asphalt and the gravel bed is being removed and partially replaced with asphalt to make crashes less risky.
Improvements are also being made elsewhere: access points for marshals are being widened to be able to react more quickly in an emergency. Overall, however, the interventions remain manageable. The total costs amount to around 300.000 Euro and are half-borne by the Free State of Saxony.
Lessons learned from incidents
Special attention is also being paid to the exit of the so-called Omega. Although this section of the track is relatively slow, several incidents occurred here during the MotoGP weekend last year. Riders who went off the track often lost control on the grass strip.
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The solution: Here, too, the surface is being adjusted to allow for a safer return to the track. Additionally, drainage is being created along the track to efficiently drain rainwater – an important step, especially with a view to changeable weather conditions like at the 2025 Grand Prix.
Recognized as intangible cultural heritage
In addition to the construction measures, news off the track is attracting attention: The fan culture surrounding the Sachsenring has been officially included in the Saxon state list of intangible cultural heritage. An application had been submitted by the track operator, ADAC Sachsen, in mid-2025.
This honors a tradition that has developed over nearly a century – since the end of the nineties, particularly around the German round of the Motorcycle World Championship. At the 2025 Grand Prix alone, over 250.000 visitors were counted.
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The recognition underscores the special atmosphere of the event. The Free State of Saxony has also proposed the fan culture for the nationwide register of intangible cultural heritage. A decision on this is expected for 2027.
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